The Perch (Archive)

August 28, 2015

Happy Fall my fellow feathered friends. It is that time of year to get those cages hosed down and your bird room cleaned up for the
winter. Also this time of year is great for offering your birds fresh-grown produce. I love giving my birds fresh corn and green
beans and fresh greens such as endive and broccoli. Birds enjoy these fresh offerings and it is also good for them as well.

It is also that time year for our annual Bird and Tropical Fish Sale, Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 10 am - 4 pm. Come see all our new and
returning vendors for your cages, toys or win an awesome raffle prize. Or, if you are thinking about adding a new feathered friend or
tropical fish to your family, we will have that as well. Our Expo will be at the Madison Place, 876 Horace Brown Drive, in Madison
Heights. Our website is updated and running for updated news and info for the Motor City Bird Breeders club. You can also follow
us on Facebook!

Spring 2013 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Happy spring/beginning of summer! Warmer weather has arrived and my birds are thrilled. This means I can take my cages outside
and hose them down really good. Also it's time to plant a garden which myself and birds enjoy. Fresh broccoli and green beans are
an awesome part of a bird's diet. I even grow fresh escarole for my canaries and other birds to enjoy as well.

Another important thing to remember as the warmer weather is here with screens, windows and open doors. Make sure your
birds' wings are clipped and they do not have access to chew a hole through a screen and fly away. If you do decide to take your bird
outdoors please make sure your feathered companion is in a well-secured cage it cannot get out of. Also do not leave your bird
unattended as there may be stray cats or other animals that may get your bird. My birds enjoyed being sprayed with a lukewarm
spray bottle; this helps keep dander down and most birds love a fresh shower. My 'tiels spread their wings and tail making sure I
get every spot.

I'd like to thank our club members, vendors and spectators who made our expo a success. I look forward to seeing everyone Saturday,
October 5, 2013 when we will return to the Madison Place for our Fall Expo. Keep watching this post for more exciting news to be announced.
I will be at the Rainbow Feathers expo Sunday, June 23, 2013. I hope to see everyone there. Everyone have a safe and fun summer!

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year, my friends!

I hope everyone has had a great holiday season. I have cockatiels sitting on eggs. It's so exciting seeing baby birds born and knowing they will
bring joy to me and those who purchase some of my babies as their feathered companion.

Adding a bird to your home can be very rewarding. If you are thinking about getting your first feathered companion its very important that you do
your research and ask questions. Parrots can live very long lives and need a good size space to live in. Our vendors at our expo have many years
and experience caring for their birds. Asking them questions is a great way to do your research for bird ownership. Come to one of our expos!
Our next one is Saturday April 28, 2013. Click on "Expo" on our website for more info. Also, if you cannot make it to our expo, there are many great
breeders on our vendors section; also I would be glad to answer your questions as well. You can email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com.

Birds are like a bag of potato chips - sometimes you just can't have just one. I have enjoyed a few species over the years. Budgies and cockatiels
are affordable for the beginner as is a pair of zebra finches for the beginner finch person. Budgies and 'tiels come in many color variations and can
learn to talk and sit on your finger. Henry the Eighth, in addition to having eight wives, also had an African Grey parrot. African Grey parrots are not
loud noisy birds and can talk very well. Conures are very clownish! However, if you live in apartment they may be too loud. These are just a few
species I enjoy, there are too many more to mention. Please keep a watch for my blog as I hope to share updates in the bird community through out the year.

Again, Happy New Year!

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

Fall 2012 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

This is also a great time of year to take advantage of the fresh pumpkins found in stores. Did you know pumpkin seeds are a
great source of calcium for your birds? There is as much calcium in pumpkin seeds as there is in milk. Sometimes I'll bake the pumpkin and leave the seeds in. My birds absolutely love this healthy food.

Also it's a good time to do extra cleaning. Spray your cages down really good before it gets too cold to use the hose. I sometimes take my cages through a quarter car wash and power wash them. This gets them really clean.

Our expo is coming up Saturday, October 13, 2012. I look forward to seeing many of you at our expo. There will be lots of bird toys, cages and more. Are you thinking of adding another member to your flock? There will be plenty of
birds on sale for you to find the perfect addition. Also, there will be experts to answer many questions you have on bird behavior. At the expo, you can also find out information about what food and other things work best for
your birds. So I hope to see many people there! If you see me there, feel free to say hello.

Well it's time to go change my water dishes for my birds; I hope everyone has a safe and happy fall season.

Summer 2012 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Hello Feathered Friends!

Our expo was a success! Thanks to our club members, customers, and great vendors, we put on a great expo. Without everyone we could not make this event as great as it is. I am already looking forward to our Fall Expo on Saturday,
October 13, 2012, with even more vendors and more birds. At our expo we promote education and the best food offerings and supplies to make your feathered friends a healthy, happy member of your home.

I was eight years old when I got my first bird, and it was an amazing experience. As a child growing up it taught me responsibility. Also learning about birds I've learned about different parts of the world and many species and
about the places they come from. Birds have taught me how Mother Nature greets us with wonderful calls and song while some birds have taught me just how intelligent they are with speaking words.
Not only my African grey, Skipper, but my blue crown conure and sulfur crested cockatoo have taught me how intelligent birds are. I cannot leave out my cockatiel Dinozo as well, he is smart too. It is amazing how much a cockatiel
can learn. The May babies that are produced each year become companions to many people.

I love to celebrate spring and summer by giving my parrots fresh vegetables. Now is a good time to get spring cleaning done, taking your cages outside and spraying them down. Also it's important to go through your bird cages and
make sure they have new toys, perches, and clean dishes. Please make sure you have your screens placed in your windows and also your birds' wings clipped. It only takes one time for your bird to fly away.

March 15, 2012

Happy Spring Everyone!

As the weather gets warmer our doors and windows are being opened more often. While the birds are enjoying the fresh air, please remember not to have your birds in front of cold drafty windows. Also, if you let your birds out of
their cages, please remember to have your birds' wings clipped. Also make sure there are no missing screens where your birds can escape. It only takes one time for your birds to spook and then they are gone. It is very
difficult to get your bird back once they have flown away. It is also time to start getting your cages outside for a full scrub down. I usually hose it down with water and a bit of bleach. Please make sure you rinse your cages
good to make sure that they are free of soap.

We are also getting closer to our Spring Expo on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Madison Heights. Please check our website under Expo for directions.
We will have lots of raffle prizes, birds, and stuff for everyone. I hope to meet many of you there.

When thinking about adding a feathered companion to your home, I always ask people that are interested to do their homework to make sure a bird is going to fit into your lifestyle. Parrots and other caged birds are very
intelligent, they need ways to have their mind stimulated. Birds need a lot of interactive things because they need something to keep their mind active. Parrots and other birds need toys in their cages.

Also birds always need fresh water, so if your bird's water is dirty their dishes need to be cleaned out and their water replaced. As the weather gets warmer birds like to take baths and drink in their water, so make sure you
check on their water twice a day if you can. Also try not to put their water dishes where birds will soil in them. I always tell bird owners if you wouldn't drink out of your birds' water dish neither should your bird.

Birds also need different perches besides wooden dowels. If they stand on dowels all the time, this can cause sores on their feet. Try rope perches or natural perches instead. Wooden dowel perches are OK but should not be their
only source to perch on. My cockatiels, parrotlets and budgies love swings. Also birds that are not let out of their cages like finches, canaries and breeder birds should have the largest cages possible.

Hope some of these tips are helpful. Keep a look out of more bird tips.

Enjoy your feathered friends, you're who they count on!

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

Spring 2012 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Happy Spring everyone. The flowers are all in bloom and spring cleaning is being done. As a reminder, bird seed dishes should be washed weekly, and water bowls should be changed and
washed out daily. Also where you serve fruits and vegetables in the cage should be in a separate dish. Toys should be examined and cleaned if they have poop on them. Birds should have a few different types of perches in
their cage for their comfort. Rope perches and other types of perches are available; some perches may have to be replaced.

Now is a good time to start getting your cages outside and hose them down with good soap or light bleach. Make sure you rinse well, your bird deserves to live in clean conditions.

Owning a bird is rewarding but also a commitment. Please research the species of bird you are interested and contact a local breeder who has experience with that species of bird. We have a list of local breeders including
myself on our website. My fellow club members and I would be happy to answer your bird questions. If a club member cannot answer your question they will refer you to one of us or we will refer you to someone that has knowledge
of that species. A reputable breeder will tell you how old the bird is and when it was born.

Our Spring Expo is just two weeks away. We will have lots of expert breeders, toys, supplies, cages and more. We hope to see many of of you April 28, 2012.

January 29, 2012

Here we are, it's the end of January and snow is starting to fall. Which means Spring is on its way, at least from what my cockatiels and sun conures are doing. They are starting to go to nest. I always look forward to raising
the new babies every year!

Also this is a good time of year to make birdie bread I give this to all my birds including my pets.

Birdie Bread Recipe:
One box cornbread mix as directed. Then I add in a cup of frozen vegetables and bake. I let cool and cut up into slices and give to my birds. You can also add fruit and nuts; they like that too.
Also I usually make a mixture of beans. I let them soak over night and boil them. I usually add corn to the mixture, they really love that as well. Birds always need variety in their diet. In the wild they
would eat different stuff throughout the day, so they do in captivity too. I usually feed fresh escarole or endive (the curly kind) - they love that too.

Picky Eaters - Many people can come across parrots or birds that have never been exposed to good food such as fruit, veggies or a good pelleted diet which is always recommended. One thing people have to remember with birds is
"patience" as the main keyword. Keep giving the food you want them to eat to them, they will eventually eat it. If they are not eating their pellets, sometimes you have to pull their seed from them for a few hours through the day.
Then, at night, give them a small amount of seed, then gradually give them less and less. Keep offering the veggies and fruits to them, they will eventually eat it. If you taste it in front of them they also will see
that it's good.

Motor City Bird Breeders club will be at the Society of Finch and Canary Club Bird Show on February 25, 2012 from 9-4 PM
Location: Livonia Elks Lodge #2246, 31117 Plymouth Road, Livonia, MI 48150. I will be there promoting Motor City Bird Breeders club and Expo.

The Motor City Bird Breeders Spring Expo will be Saturday April 28, 2012. Stop on by our table and say hello, I'd be glad to meet you and answer any bird related questions you have.

Looking forward to a great 2012!

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

Winter 2011 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Happy Holidays, my feathered friends!

Wow, I cannot believe it is that time of year. I'm so thankful for all the great babies my birds produced and the wonderful pets that my babies made to
the people I sold my birds to. It gives me a great feeling when I hear back from people who purchased my babies, saying what wonderful pets that
they make and how they are providing companionship to many people.

I sure know my birds are enjoying all the seasonal activities as well. My African Grey parrots, Skipper and Angel, are really enjoying the Christmas
music. All my birds also told me that they are thankful they are not turkeys this time of year.

My birds look forward to all the seasonal food this time of the year such as oranges, cranberries, sweet and mashed potatoes. I usually make them all
a veggie tray. Even my finches and canaries enjoy the mashed potatoes and endive plate. Some of my bigger birds such as my cockatoos, greys,
amazons and conures enjoy the squash, peas and sweet potato plates. Many of my birds also enjoy safe stocking stuffers such as new toys, perches
and food bowls. I always go over my birds cages a couple times a year and replace items that have been chewed up or just need replacing. Birds are
active in the wild and are constantly moving so we need to make sure our birds have regular activity to stimulate their intelligent brains. From hookbills to small finches,
all of these birds require constant activity and a diet with a variety. Even birdie bread is a great food to feed parents feeding their
babies. A prepared store package with mixed veggies and a cup of bird seed added makes a great meal for any bird as well and is a simple way to
incorporate fun. Try putting endive and oranges in their cages; what a great way to get your birds to eat a healthy snack during this time of year.
Also with the holidays approaching you may have company. Too much attention may be too stressful for your birds. If you can, try not to have a lot of
guests around your birds. Also remember when cooking to watch out for pans. Also watch burning scented candles and those poinsettias; keep them
both out of the reach of birds since they are poisonous.

I'm looking forward to gathering with fellow bird club members for a great meal and celebration of the holidays; I also am looking forward to the 2012
show calendar. The Finch and canary Club will kick off the show season in February 2012. I look forward to seeing many of you there and of course
our expo will be Saturday, April 28, 2012. On behalf of the Motor City Bird Breeders Club and myself, I wish all of your flock, family and you the
greatest holiday season. I look forward to all the great expos and info I will be sharing with all of you in 2012.

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

Fall 2011 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Happy Fall, my fellow feathered friends ~

Wow, it sure turned cold pretty quick! I really think fall is the favorite time of year for my birds. They love apples and oatmeal with pumpkin seeds. I
even give my budgies, 'tiels and other small birds apples and oatmeal too. My cockatoo and African greys just cannot wait to get their oats and toast
in the morning. Also, during this time of year, it's important that your birds are out of drafts. Make sure you check your windows for drafts. This will
prevent your birds from getting sick during the winter. Drafts can cause your birds to catch cold.

Our Fall Expo was a success. I'd like to thank all our club members for all their hard work. Also I would like to thank our vendors and customers for
their participation. Together we all make the lives of caged birds a success. It was great to see all returning people come to our expo and also new
faces. I'm looking forward to our next expo on Saturday April 28, 2012. I also look forward to seeing all of you in the spring as well. We will have more
birds, toys, and cages available to the public.

Owning a pet bird or raising birds can be very rewarding to the dedicated bird person. We hope we can provide you with the education you need to
make your bird a healthy happy member of your family. If you have any questions about your birds, please feel free to email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com.
I would be glad to answer your questions.
Visit and "Like" us on Facebook to become a friend of the Motor City Bird Breeders Club. Also keep coming back here to our website
www.motorcitybirdbreeders.com for information as well. Please keep a eye for upcoming blog entries right here on the Perch.

Happy Halloween!

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

June 12, 2011

Happy Summer, my fellow feathered friends ~

Hope everyone is out enjoying the great weather. I sure know I have. The windows are open and the birds are getting showers and cannot wait for all
the fresh produce to come in. I know this time of year some of my birds enjoy strawberries. I make sure all my produce is washed to prevent them
from getting sick. I'd like to make a announcement: you can now also follow us on Facebook. Yes, Motor City Bird Breeders now has a Facebook
page as well. Find us on Facebook and click "Like." I would love to have you as a friend there as well. Please feel free to post pictures and cool
stuff on our wall.

The October show is filling up fast. People are starting to reserve tables now, so if you would like to get a table we have a few left. Make
sure you reserve yours soon. I'd like to wish our club members, customers, vendors and all our web viewers a safe and happy summer. Again I hope
to see many of you in the fall and please check out our Facebook page and become a friend.

Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

Spring 2011 Newsletter for Motor City Bird Breeders Club

Happy Spring my feathered friends ~

The warm weather is starting to show up and I am loving it. My birds are also loving the warm weather. Now is a good time to make sure your
screens in your house and bird room are in to make sure you do not have any birds get out. If you have any birds you let out of their cages, you
should make sure their wings are clipped. It only takes one second and your bird could be gone. I have seen and heard many cases of this.

Also, many birds are now molting before they start breeding again. I recommend people give their birds showers with a spray bottle, and also up
some of their vitamins during this time.

I'd like to take the time to thank Rainbow Feathers for putting on a great show! We enjoyed it very much. I'd like to think club members Sheryl Fisk
and Janet Purks for coming out and working our club table. It was good to see many of the vendors and customers at Rainbow Feathers's show.

Our club looks forward to seeing all of you at our Fall Expo on October 1, 2011. Our tables are filling up fast, but we do have a few left. If you haven't paid for a
space you might want to reserve and pay for a table as soon as you can. Our club will be at the Finch and Canary Show in Livonia May 21st, 2011. At
that time you can pay for a table, I will be there.

Thank you Fran Anderson, a well known breeder of the Lineolated Parakeets. The club and I would like to thank you for giving us great
information on this great species of bird. Please be sure to check out May's newsletter - there will be lots of information on Lineolated Parakeets with
other articles as well.

We always welcome new club members! Please email if you're interested in being part of our bird family at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com. I hope everyone
and their birds have a safe and enjoyable spring.

Bird diets: I'd love to hear what are some of the things that you feed your parrots. What are your birds' favorite foods? If you can email those we will
post them on the next Perch writing! Always good for us to share as a bird community.
Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

April 5, 2011

Happy Spring my feathered friends ~

Wow! I cannot believe another expo has passed - and a fun expo at that! I'd like to thank all of our club members for their dedication and hard
work. I'd also like to thank our customers and vendors, both new and returning. Together we all make a great expo and enrich the lives of caged
birds.

Motor City Bird Breeders is already looking forward to and planning our Fall Expo which will be held October 1, 2011. All of our vendors will be
returning with more birds and great products to help you care for your flock family. Any vendors wishing to get a table space, please turn in your
vendor forms with payment - tables are filling fast - so be sure to reserve your spot!

Don't forget, if you are a paid vendor you can advertise on our website for free. Please feel free to email me or our webmaster with your ad.

Please click the links above to check their websites for more information and directions to these fairs. Be sure to come see us and say hello, or
register for a table for the Fall Expo! Come see some of your favorite vendors at these fairs too!

Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

March 5, 2011

Happy Spring, my feathered friends ~

I am looking forward to serving this year as your new Expo Director!

I am so proud of the team that has come together to make the show a success! We all know it takes a successful group of people - club members,
vendors and, of course, our customers. We cannot have an expo without all of you!

I'd like to give a congratulations to the Society of Canary & Finch Breeders Club! Your new place was a success. I look forward to many shows
there. I thought your fair was well done. Everyone had a good time.

I am looking forward to the Motor City Bird Breeders Expo on April 2, 2011. Please change your calendars! This is a date change from the
previous date of April 9, 2011. I would like to apologize to everyone for the sudden change. We will, however, still have a great show with lots of vendors
with birds and toys. I look forward to seeing all of the new and old returning faces. The more participation we have at all our shows, the better
success we have.

We still have a few tables left, so if you're open and would like to rent a table email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com or call me at (248) 460-3251.

Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

February 2, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day to all my feathered friends and their flocks ~

As I am typing, I'm hearing baby cockatiels hollering for food. I can also hear other birds going in and out of their nest boxes. It is funny, our birds
sure find all types of activities to do during the winter!

During the winter months, my African Grey, Skipper, my Moluccan and all of my Conures enjoy warm oatmeal and toast. Of course almost every
bird from my big cockatoo to my tiny finches enjoy toast - but they also like fruits and vegetables. Over the years I have received birds that won't
eat some of the foods I offer right away. I can tell what type of diet they were previously fed by what they will and won't eat!

Every bird in my household is offered all types of foods including fruits, seeds, pellet and all types of vegetables. I bake birdie bread and make
them all types of bean and pasta dishes. A lot of my birds enjoy endive, sweet potatoes, and broccoli florets. And of course I've never met a bird
who didn't like corn! Yes, finches and canaries also enjoy some fruits and vegetables too!

I do have a few birds who were tough food eaters in the beginning. If you have this problem, keep offering different foods - eventually they will eat
it! Fruits and vegetables add natural nutrition to your birds diet. It may take some time, but they will learn to love them!

Items like Cheerios are another favorite of every bird in my household. My rabbits and dogs like them too! My Zebra Finches and canaries enjoy
bananas, shredded carrot, endive, and Cheerios. It's so funny to watch a Zebra Finch with a Cheerio in its mouth!

What are some of your birds favorite foods? Why not write and let me know! I'll post some of your ideas here to "The Perch" and share them with
our other readers. We owe it our birds to give them the best care possible. A wise woman once told me, "If we do not take care of them, who
will?" Think like a bird - if you would not do it, why would your bird? I hope everyone takes the time to work on improving their birds' care. After
all, you're into birds because of the rewards they offer you as a bird owner! Right?

Until next time...

Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

January 11, 2011

Everyone - club members, vendors and of course, your customers and ours. We cannot put on an expo without all of you!

Over the next couple months, I will be working on our Spring Expo along with the club. Every vendor will receive a show packet that will include table
assignments along with a map of where your table(s) will be. We will include other information you may need to make your experience and day
enjoyable as well. We will be happy to accommodate you if we can.

If you haven't yet reserved your table(s), we still have a few left but they are filling fast, so please make sure you get your form in as soon as
possible. As always, we ask all vendors be set up by 9:30 am. At that time we will have a special raffle for a free table for the Fall Expo - this raffle
is for current vendors only. Doors open at 10:00 am, so we want to be ready when our customers come through the door. We ask that you make
sure all of your sale cages and those with birds are clean, and that all birds have appropriate food and water for the day. This will give both you
and the Motor City Bird Breeders Club a positive image. Our goal is to make sure everyone is successful at selling their products and birds.

I hope to see old and new faces at both our Spring and Fall Expos and look forward to serving as your new Expo Director!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com or call (248) 460-3251. All inquiries will be answered within 24
hours.

Yours in the hobby,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

December 2, 2010

We are getting ready to go into our holidays and also the start of another bird breeding and show season. I wish all of you success in raising
healthy and happy birds.

I would like to announce in May we will be having Fran Anderson, a well known Lineolated Parakeet breeder and hobbyist, come and speak about
these delightful birds. She will be happy to answer all of your questions about them!

I would like to congratulate all of our newly appointed 2011 MCBB Club Officers:

I would like to thank our former Expo Director, Pat Piekarz, for all the hard work you did over the last few years. Being Expo Director is no small
feat. It takes a ton of hard work and dedication and many, many hours of preparation! We would not have had such successful expos without you!

As newly appointed Expo Director, I am looking forward to making each and every expo bigger and better with our great raffle, more vendors and
birds to sell. If you have any comments on what you would like to see or not see, please email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com. All emails will be
answered within 24 hours of receipt.

To our expo vendors, I will be sending out confirmation packets just before each expo. These will act as a reminder of the upcoming event and will
contain reminders of our expo set up rules, a receipt for your table(s), and your table location. We will try to accommodate location requests.
Remember, no Vendors are allowed in the building before 7:00 am. Two club members will be present for security and to help you bring things in if
necessary. All Vendors must be set up by 9:45 am. No one will be allowed to set up after that time. Please be sure all your cages are clean. (I
usually clean cages the night before.) We ask all vendors to remain set up until the end of the expo (doors close at 5:00 pm). If you need
assistance throughout the day of the expo, please feel free to come and find me or one of our club members. We look forward to serving you!

You may advertise on our website for free if you are a paid Vendor. Please see Lori Kanas for a website advertising form. You can give this form to
myself or Lori and we will make sure it gets to our webmaster.

I appreciate all of you coming to our expo year after year and offering your customers the tools they need to breed, raise, and sell their birds.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call (248) 460-3251 and I'll be happy to answer them for you!

I'd like to take the time and personally wish your birds, friends and family the best holiday and happy new year. I look forward to working with
everyone in the future.

Happy Holidays,

Motor City Bird Breeder Expo Director,Jeffrey Olivier

November 2010

My birds all enjoy eating fresh cranberries among other tasty treats this time of year. I know our fresh fruits and veggies become more expensive
now until next year. Frozen mixed vegetables work real well, and also fresh kale - you know, that green veggie know one looks at. It is very good for
our birds to eat this time of year. Sweet potatoes too! My Amazon parrots and other birds love a sweet potato with frozen peas.

I make a corn bread - I just follow the directions on the package and I add frozen mixed veggies, sometimes dried fruit - the birds just love it.

Birds love a large variety of foods. I hope you will try a few of these with yours.

Do not forget current vendors at our show can advertise their toys and birds on our site for free as service to you. Please email myself or our
webmaster with your ad. Remember, all ads must be approved by the board before they can be posted!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

October 20, 2010

I have been busy working and spending time around my birds. I raise cockatiels, conures, budgies and now Lineolated Parakeets. I spend a lot
of money and time taking care of my birds, feeding all of them fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds and pellet. Not to mention the time I spend
cleaning cages and providing proper accessories such as ropes and other perches to my birds.

When I hand feed my babies, I spend a lot of time socializing them - hand feeding every two to four hours, five times a day. Sometimes I hand
feed through the night - all just to bring people a nice, healthy, happy and well-socialized pet.

As a hobbyist of over twenty years, I have been taught by the best. When I have babies, I always write down all the information regarding the bird
so that when I sell one I can give people the tools they need to successfully raise their own birds. When others do not raise their own birds, they
buy and resell the birds with little knowledge about them to share with the buyer. I wonder if they even care about the birds.

When people sell their breeders that are just too old, I feel it is so unfair to the buyer and the bird.

When a breeder asks a certain amount for a bird, it is acceptable to negotiate a few dollars less, but when someone has a hundred dollar bird for
sale and you offer fifty dollars, after all they've put in to the care and maintenance of the bird, it is really insulting! People who purchase a bird
with plans to resell it and make a profit hurt all breeders.

All of you breeders work just as hard as I do. We owe it to ourselves to not cheat each other or our customers. It's nice to get back what you put
into your hobby or business, but let's look back and make sure we are being fair.

Good luck on your quest to raising your birds this season.

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

October 4, 2010

Hello my feathered friends ~

Birds and people!! We had another enjoyable and successful Bird Expo!! I sure know my birds are enjoying the new toys I bought for them. My
newest family member, Primo, a Moluccan Cockatoo, is enjoying his new toy. Skipper, my African Grey parrot, is not sure what to think yet. With all
that being said, I saw a lot of beautiful birds. I would like to thank our club members, vendors and customers for attending our expo. This was a
success on all of your parts. I look forward to seeing everyone back in the spring on April 2, 2011! See our new Expo page for more information!

Vendors - if you haven't signed up for a table and would like to attend in the spring, please contact Lori Kanas at (810) 300-1116 or
(586) 727-9286 for more information.

Members and readers - if you have any article ideas or want to place an advertisement on our website, please email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com.
I would be glad to forward those to our webmaster. You may also email me if you have any questions!

Fall is now here!! This is a great time of year for our birds to eat all those healthy vegetables that are coming in. My African Grey parrot, Skipper,
and Blue Crown Conure, Mojo, love apples in their oatmeal. They also love roasted squash and sweet potatoes. I'd like to know what some of
your birds favorite foods are! Email me by the end of November and we will post those favorites in the VP's Perch, "The Best Stuff My Birds Ever
Ate." I look forward to hearing all of your ideas!

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

September 3, 2010

Happy Labor Day, my fine feathered friends~

Yes, it is time once again for our MCBB Fall Expo! I cannot believe how fast the summer has gone.

Our expo takes work and dedication from everyone. We need all our members, vendors and customers to make our expo a great success. I look
forward to seeing vendors new and old. We do have some tables still available. You can contact Lori Kanas at (810) 300-1116 or (586) 727-9286
or you can email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Come join us October 2, 2010 at our annual Fall Expo! As always, we will have raffle prizes and food available. A good time is sure to be had by all.
Remember too, current vendors can advertise on our site for free.

Looking forward again to another great show season!

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

August 2, 2010

I hope it's been hot enough for everyone and all are staying cool and enjoying the warmer weather. I sure know it has made my birds happy with all
the free showers.

I got my first bird, a budgie, when I was eleven - it was the proudest day of my life. My second bird, a cockatiel, I received when I was fifteen and
still have him today. Please remember birds are not just something you buy and get rid of because you tire of them. Birds can live a very long time
and we owe it to them to give them the best care possible.

This summer I have experienced people buying pet birds and reselling them at a higher price, with no knowledge of the bird or the species. It is up
to us as bird lovers to equip a new owner with the knowledge they require to care for their bird as long as it lives. Birds are very emotional
creatures and do not like changes. The MCBB does not encourage buying and reselling birds. We encourage people to raise their own birds
because that is part of the joy of owning them.

I have had a blast raising cockatiels this summer, seeing the many different mutations I've raised. I've also been learning a lot about raising Sun
Conures and Lineolated Parakeets. I've just set up my first pair. I hope everyone else is reaching their goals raising birds and having fun with it. I
always have a hunger for more knowledge about birds.

The MCBB also participates in bird rescue. We will take your unwanted birds and place them in homes among the club members who are experts
on that species. Rescue birds will then be placed in permanent homes in which they will not be able to be sold. With the tough economic times, we
want to make sure birds are placed in good hands. For more information about our rescue service, you can contact Lori Kanas at (586) 727-9286.

Good news! Our meetings will resume in September! Our next meeting will be held Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 1:45pm at Rosie's Diner. New
members are always welcome to join us and check out our club. We are always looking for people to help us put on a great fair and participate in
our meetings and discussions about caged birds. Sometimes this is the best time to ask questions and get ideas from other hobbyists and
breeders.

Our Fall Expo will be held Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 10 am - 4 pm at the UFCW Hall in Madison Heights. See our Expo page for more
information! Table space is filling quickly and we only have a few left. Please call Lori Kanas at (586) 727-9286 or download our Expo Vendor
forms and mail them to us! There will be lots of birds, toys, cages, food and our outstanding raffle - don't forget to check it out! Our expo takes all
of our members, participating vendors and customers to help make it a success. We all do it to help better the lives of caged birds. We want to
share our knowledge as bird owners. It's one of the best experiences you can have.

Vendors, if you have a table at our fair you can advertise on our website FREE! This is a good way for folks looking for birds to find you!

I look forward to a great season with everyone and hope to see you at our next meeting or the Fall Expo!

Yours in feathered friendship,

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

June 13, 2010

Hello Bird Community~

I would like to take the time and wish everyone a happy and safe summer!

Just a reminder our Fall Expo will be held October 1, 2010. I hear lots of people sold birds at our last expo. We still have some table space available so if you have
not done so call, Lori Kanas at (586) 727-9286 or (810) 300-1116 to get information on reserving a table.

As the weather gets warmer, it is important that we change our birds' water more often. I even have a water bottle marked "birds only." I use this
to mist my birds. I've planted a garden not only for myself, but for my birds. Birds enjoy and should have fresh vegetables and fruits. Fresh items
are as much a part of a good diet for the birds as it is for us!

To pet bird owners - if you let your bird out of their cage, please make sure their wings are clipped and all your windows have screens in them. I
know a lady who had her door wall open - she said her bird won't go anywhere. Her door wall was opened with the blinds pulled she went to fold a
paper bag and startled the bird. The bird flew out her door wall and she never saw her bird again. I would hate to have anyone tell me that story.

During the summer months, please make sure you do not leave soft food in cages long as the warm weather will spoil fruits and vegetables. My
African greys and conures love corn on the cob and peaches.

Did you know that vendors can advertise on our website? For a low cost, please feel free to email me at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com.
We will make sure your ad gets posted upon approval.

A reminder - the MCBB does not support hybrid breeds such as Sundays or Catalina Macaws. We feel each species has different requirements and
come from different areas of the world.

Again, I wish everyone a happy summer and look for more articles and announcements to come. Please feel free to send me articles that you
would like posted or other ideas you would like to see our club do. I will pass the information on. Vendors and club members, we need your
support and involvement to continue to have a great expo. See you soon!

Yours in feathered friendship,

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

May 14, 2010

I feel that when someone hand-feeds a baby bird, they should take the time and teach their babies to step up and want to be held. Many people,
when they come to a bird fair, are looking for hand-fed birds that they can play with. The whole purpose behind hand-feeding birds is so people
can handle them and be able to make them into a pet. To me, the whole purpose in hand-feeding is to make your babies socialized and also where
they can be handled. The more handleable your birds are, the greater chance you have in selling your bird.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments! Please feel free to email me with tips and thoughts! What works for you? What questions do
you have about hand feeding? We're here to learn about birds!
Email me your thoughts and tips at Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com.

Yours in feathered friendship,

Motor City Bird Breeder Vice President,Jeffrey Olivier

April/May 2010

Hello Feathered Friends,

At this time I would like to personally thank all of the club members for participating and working together to make our Spring Expo a great success!

Also, I would like to thank the vendors and people who attended our expo; without you our show would not be the great success it is. I would like to
thank Rainbow Feathers Bird Club for working with us so we can promote each others' bird fairs. All of us work together to make caged birds lives
loving and healthy.

I hope that I will see you at our next bird expo! We will have tables available If you forgot to pay for a table for our October 2, 2010 Fall Expo -
please contact Lori Kanas at (810) 300-1116 or email myself Redbellysenegal90@gmail.com with any questions!

I hope everyone has a great summer. Please keep a look out for more exciting events Motor City Bird Breeders Club will have planned this year!